Figure



March 31, 1964 T. M. HOLLAND 3,126,599

CLAMP-TYPE RIMMEID CAN HOLDER Filed April 3, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR 77/5/90 M. HOLLAND March 31, 1964 T. M. HOLLAND 3,126,599

CLAMP-TYPE RIMMED CAN HOLDER Filed April 5, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 g E I I1 4 I E I ll f 20 /8 20 INVENTOR THgPM M. HOLL/I/VD ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,126,599 CLAMP-TYPE RIMMED CAN HOLDER Theron M. Holland, 390 Colorado Blvd, Denver, Colo. Filed Apr. 3, 1963, Ser. No. 270,406 1'7 Claims. (Cl. 2481) This invention relates to clamp devices for attaching rimmed cans together in assembled relation and is a continuation-in-part of my copending application Serial Number 223,420 filed September 10, 1962, carrying a similar title.

In my copending application above-identified, I disclose a novel device for clamping together two or more rimmed cans which includes a rotatable latch element that carries projections positioned and adapted to lock in underneath the chime when the latter is retained in an arcuate groove forming a part of the holder. This unit, while eminently satisfactory for its ultimate purpose in holding the cans together in assembled relation, has certain shortcomings that relate primarily to its fabrication, assembly and attachment to the cans.

Modern can lines operate at speeds as high as one thousand cans a minute and more which places heavy demands upon the machinery used in conjunction therewith such as, for example, packaging equipment that takes the output of the can line and places several individual units in either a paper carton or a cardboard packing case. Machinery for this purpose as well as that needed to affix the clamp-type can holders of the present invention must, therefore, be capable of handling the can line output with efiiciency and the utmost reliability. To do so, however, is not so much a function of the machine as it is the com plexity of the device it must attach to the cans.

My earlier clamp-type can holder was a three-piece assembly in the form used for a so-called six-pack which included the grooved unit that fitted down over the chimes of the cans holding them in two rows of three each and two rotatable latch elements that cooperated with the grooved member to lock the cans into the grooves by fastening in under the chimes. Ordinarily, these two basically different elements, namely, the grooved member and the latch members would be fabricated separately. In fact, it was contemplated that they be formed in some instances of different materials. The expense of making the units of the assembly separately would, undoubtedly, be somewhat greater than if they could be fabricated as a one-piece unit. While it is true that a die for a one-piece unit would be more complicated and, perhaps, more expensive than separate dies for the two parts, the resultant saving in performing a single manufacturing operation instead of two separate ones would far outweigh any saving in die costs.

Another problem is that the labor required to assemble the three-piece unit which would be eliminated in the onepiece unit. The usual procedure would be to collet the grooved elements and latches in random fashion in separate containers following fabrication and this would require hand-picking of the parts for assembly or the installation of expensive automatic sorting and assembly equipment which would have to be specifically designed for the purpose. Either way, the cost of the assembled unit would be high in comparison to the same or essentially the same device fabricated in one-piece.

There is also the problem of maintaining the three-piece assembly with the latch elements properly oriented relative to the grooved member in the machine which is used to fasten same to the cans. In my previous clamp assembly, the latch elements were free to turn in the supporting grooved member and they would remain so up until the time they were fastened to the cans unless special provisions were made in the machine to prevent such relative motion. This would unnecessarily complicate the machine and certainly would create a source of possible malfunction especially when operating the machine at speeds capable of handling the output from a high-speed can line. Needless to say, a single misaligned latch can cause a great deal of trouble and possibly damage cans in a very short time at these speeds. Doubtless, the canner would be most reluctant to tolerate more than an occasional foulup of this nature.

It has now been found in accordance with the teaching of the instant invention that these and other problems can be substantially, if not completely, eliminated through the use of a modified design which is susceptible of being fabricated as a one-piece unit. The separation of the unit into individual latch and latch-supporting grooved elements occurs at the instant the device is afiixed to the cans. This, of course, simplifies the manufacture of the unit, eliminates assembly thereof, and does away with the need for complex features in the attaching machine adapted to maintain the separate parts in properly oriented relation to one another preparatory to fastening the unit to the cans.

Equally significant is the fact that the one-piece unit containing undercut portions and lateral projections in several planes is so designed that it can be fabricated with a simple two part die requiring no removable or retractable inserts or the like which complicate manufacture, slow down the manufacturing operation significantly and greatly increase the cost of the dies as well as the over-all manufacturing cost. While the die itself forms no part of the present invention, the design of the unit which adapts itself to fabrication by means of a simple die is quite significant.

It is, therefore, the principal object of the present invention to provide a novel and improved clamp-type can holder for two or more rimmed cans.

A second objective is the provision of a device of the type aforementioned that is fabricated as a one-piece unit with fracturable connections between the latch elements and latch-supporting frame that break-away at the instant the unit is afiixed to the cans.

Another object of the invention herein claimed is the provision of apparatus for holding several cans in assembled relation that is formable from a simple two-part die having no removable or retractable inserts despite the fact that the unit includes undercut portions and lateral projections lying in more than one plane.

Still another objective is to provide a can holder that eliminates the necessity for a hand assembly operation thus reducing the cost of manufacture.

An additional object of the invention forming the subject matter hereof is to provide a means for fastening cans together that can be applied automatically by a relatively simple machine capable of handling the output of the highest speed can lines presently being used.

Further objectives are the provision of a can-fastening device that is simple, compact, rugged, foolproof, inext. pensive, easy to operate, versatile and decorative in appearance.

Other objects will be in part apparent and in part pointed out specifically hereinafter in connection with the description of the drawings that follows, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view showing the clamp-type rimmed can holder of the present invention, portions of one of the latch elements having been broken away and shown in section to better reveal the construction thereof;

FIGURE 2 is a bottom plan view showing one of the latch elements in unlocked position while the other is in latched position;

FTGURE 3 is a transverse diametrical section taken along line of *IGURE 1 and slightly enlarged;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view with portions of the latch element broken away and shown in section to expose the fracturable connections between said latch element and the grooved supporting frame therefor;

FIGURE 5 is a diametrical section taken along line 55 of FEGURE 4;

FTGURE 6 is a fragmentary vertical section illustrating the stops formed on the latch-supporting frame that define the locked and released positions of the latch elements; and,

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary section similar to FIG- URE 5 showing the manner in which the can holder of the present invention clamps onto the chime of the can.

Before commencing a detailed description of the present invention it should be mentioned that functionally the clamp-type can holder of the present invention is substantially identical to the one disclosed and claimed in my copending application Serial Number 223,420 of which this application is a continuation-in-part. Specifically, the frame element ll? that contains the arcuate grooves 12 in its underside that are positioned and adapted to receive the chimes 14 (FIGURE 7) of the cans I16 and hold same in side-by-side tangential relation is functionally identical to the analogous elements of my previous unit. Likewise, the latch elements 18 are mounted Within the frame for rotational movement from a released position into a latched position in which the more-or-lcss radially-extending lugs 20 that depend from said latch elements move across a portion of the grooves in the frame and lock under the chimes. In these respects and others, there is no significant difie'rence in the can holders of this and my previous application. The major differences, therefore, lie in changes in the design of these elements which permit them to be fabricated as a one-piece unit by means of a simple two-part die while, at the same time, retaining their essential functions.

Accordingly, with reference initially to FKGURES l and 2 of the drawings, it will be seen that the can holder of the present invention consists, as before, of three parts, namely, the grooved latch-supporting frame it and two identical latch elements 18 carried by said frame for limited rotational movement. The frame consists of a pair of identical four-pointed generally star-shaped portions 22 connected together at one of their points to produce a one-piece unit capable of engaging six rimmed cans arranged in two rows of three cans each that lie in side-by-side contacting relation. It is this so-called six pack arrangement that is the most popular in the beverage industry and the present description will, therefore, be confined to it for the sake of simplicity although it is to be clearly understood that the unit can be modified without the exercise of invention to accommodate a greater or lesser number of cans should the need arise therefor.

The grooves 12m ada ited to receive the chimes of the middle can of each row have an arcuate extent of slightly less than a half-circle; whereas, grooves 122 that accommodate the cans on both ends of each row are somewhat less than a quarter-circle. As a result, in the particular form shown, these grooves do not quite merge into one another although they are so located relative to one another that the can rims or chimes which they receive will lie in tangential contact with one another. All the grooves, of course, have the same radius and are designed to accommodate cans of the same size.

The centers of opposite grooves define intersecting straight lines that are perpendicular to one another and locate the center of a central opening 24 in each frame portion 22 which receives the latch element 18 for limited rotational movement therein and also defines a fingerhole. Generally rectangular cut-outs 26 extend radially from the central opening which is otherwise circular at locations spaced angularly apart that are aligned with the points of each star-shaped portion. The purpose of these cut-outs 26 will be fully described presently.

The upper surface of the frame in the particular form shown is essentially planar except for the inclusion of inclined integral stops 23 (FIGURE 1) that function to limit the angular extent the latch elements are allowed to turn toward released position. The underside of the frame is, likewise, essentially planar except for rim-receiving grooves 18 and the generally triangular depressions 30 which have been shown in FIGURE 2 and which function solely to conserve material.

The latch elements 18 comprise circular rings having an over-all depth somewhat greater than the thickness of the frame 10 which supports same. The inside surface 34 is essentially cylindrical as is the outside surface 36 with the exception of lugs 2t? that project from the bottom edge thereof, an annular rim 38 that encircles the top edge, another set of lugs 40 that project radially from the rim 38, guide or bearing surfaces 42 that slide along the opposite cylindrical surface 44 that borders the central opening in the frame, and fracture joints 46 that provide the frangible connection between the latch elements and frame, most of these features being clearly visible in FIGURES 4 and 6. This outside cylindrical surface 36 of the latch element is spaced from the opposed cylindrical surface 44 of the frame to produce a gap therebetween which is quite significant in the fabrication of a one-piece unit. Bearing surfaces 42 of the latch elements are also cylindrical but of a longer diameter to provide a sliding fit against surface 44 of the frame.

Lugs Ztl are the locking lugs and ride underneath the frame; whereas, lugs 40 are supporting lugs that ride on top thereof and prevent the ring latches from dropping through the central opening. Rim 38 is essentially the same outside diameter as bearing surfaces 42 and it closes the gap 48 between opposed cylindrical surfaces 44 and 36 of the frame and latch elements.

Before proceeding to the other figures of the drawings it should, perhaps, be mentioned that the unit as shown herein is ideally suited to an injection molding operation and has been so indicated by being cross-hatched for plastic. It could, however, be die-cast and of aluminum or some other castable metal or alloy thereof with equally good results. It would not, however, be possible to fabricate the latch elements and frame from dissimilar materials as was the case with my previous unit because this would entail sacrificing the main advantage of the present design, namely, the economies that would result from a one-piece construction.

Many of the details of the frame and latch elements are more clearly revealed in the larger views that will be found on the second sheet of drawings, particularly, FIG- URES 3-6, inclusive, to which reference will now be made in addition to FIGURES l and 2 that have been described previously. Now, it has already been mentioned that the primary reason for the present design is to enable the unit to be fabricated in one-piece with a simple twopart die. A detailed study of the left-hand portion 22l of the unit as revealed in FIGURES l and 2 will show that no part or portion of either the frame or latch element lies directly above another part or portion so as to require removable or retractable inserts in the die capable of fabricating same. This is true even though the assembly contains undercut portions such as, for example, rim 38, and many lateral projections lying in different planes, namely, lugs 29 and 4t bearing surfaces 42 and frangible connectors 46. In other words, a two-part die in which the two elements thereof move toward and away from one another in face-to-face parallel relation need only have perpendicular projections on the die-forming surfaces to produce in a single operation the entire unit.

Specifically, portions ZZZ in FIGURES 1 and 2 represent the form in which both ends of the unit are cast or molded, the right-hand portion 22r showing the locked position of the latch which is initially attained the instant the unit is first fastened to an assembly of six cans. Viewed from the underside as in FIGURE 2, note that a narrow gap separates the entire outer periphery of the latch element from the opposed surfaces of the frame that define the central opening therein. The only exception to this are the four small connecting tabs 46 which bridge this gap and preserve the integral relation between the latch and its supporting frame. Peripheral rib or flange 38 admittedly extends across this gap but an examination of FIGURE 5 will show that it does so above the plane of the top of the frame. This means, of course, that the lower die element can have a continuous uninterrupted upstanding web projecting perpendicularly from the surface thereof shaped to conform with the gap that is to be produced between the opposed surfaces of the latch and frame. Conventional cylindrical plugs on the die faces would cooperate to produce the opening in the ring-like latch element. Projections on the face of the upper die would produce the locking lugs 2% as well as that portion of bearing surface 42 from which said lugs project. The cross-section of such lug-forming projections on the die would be substantially the same as that of locking lugs 20 when viewed as in FIGURE 4. Note, that such lug-forming portions of the upper die would actually pass down into corresponding cavities in the lower die having the shape of lugs 20 in the portion 22l of FIGURE 2. Similarly, the supporting lugs 44 that project from the periphery of flange 33 on top of the ring latch would be formed by projections on the top of the lower die member which would move into position alongside those of the upper die member which form the lower locking lugs 20. These two lug-forming projections depending from the two die members would move into side-by-side contacting relation to one another thus preventing any material from entering therebetween which would result in the production of a web that would block the annular groove encircling the latch element. The face of the upper die would be recessed to form the upper edge of the ring, peripheral flange 38 projecting laterally therefrom and the supporting lugs so. The upper edge of the ring and associated peripheral flange are interrupted at diametrically spaced points to provide tool-receiving slots 50 as would be the grooves in the surface of the upper die element. There is no problem in forming the grooves 12 in the underside of the frame or the triangular depressions 30. The only other element that need be mentioned in this connection is inclined stop 28 provided on the upper surface of the frame in the path of one of the supporting lugs 4%. Here again, a simple indentation in the upper die will take care of it.

One of the unique features of the unit is obviously the angular offset of lugs 29 and 44) which allows them both to be formed in different planes within the confines of the rectangular cut-outs 26 bordering the central opening in the frame. Another important feature is forming the peripheral flange 38 to extend across and cover gap 48 between the opposed cylindrical surfaces 36 and 44. This flange allows connecting tabs 46 to be formed on the underside thereof which provide the only connection between the latch and its supporting frame. While this peripheral flange could be eliminated and still form tabs 46, it provides substantial reinforcement for the ring and also tends to strengthen the supporting lugs 46 which, otherwise, might have a tendency to break off rather easily. Note that lugs 40 are somewhat narrower than the locking lugs 26 because the latter elements are subject to loads that could break them off as they move against the side of the can and in underneath the chime if they were too thin. The weight of the can and its contents is shared by both sets of lugs 20 and 40.

As has already been mentioned briefly, the unit is formed initially as shown by left-hand portion 221 of FIGURES l and 2 and FIGURE 4. It thus is a one-piece unit requiring no assembly whatsoever. The one-piece unitary construction is maintained until the device is lowered onto the six-pack can arrangement and the chimes thereof are fully seated within the grooves 12 in the underside of the frame. Then, and only then, are the latch elements 18 broken away from the frame to produce the three-part assembly.

Breaking-loose the latch elements requires only the insertion of a simple bladed tool into one or both of the diametrically-spaced tool slots 50 on the top edge of the ring and turning same clockwise as viewed in FIGURE 1 until the connecting tabs 46 fracture. Almost immediately after these tabs break and release the latch elements for rotational movement, one of the supporting lugs 4i) will ride up onto the inclined face 52 of stop 28 and off the sheer face 54 thereof where it drops down onto the planar surface 56 of the frame that supports same as shown in FIGURES 1 and 6 to which reference will now be made. As soon as this condition exists, the latch element is supported on the frame by lugs 40 and can no longer drop through the central opening 24 which it could have done were it not attached by means of the tabs 46. Furthermore, stops 28 prevent the return of the latch elements to the position where they can drop through the central opening. The relative positions occupied by the latches and frame during the molding operation are never again employed, the unlatched position henceforth being one in which one of the supporting lugs 46? is backed up against the abrupt shoulder formed by the sheer face 54 of stop 28. FIGURE 6 closely approximates this unlatched or released position and it should he noted that the locking lug 2% has moved into position underneath the frame so that the latch element can no longer be withdrawn through the top of the central opening; yet, said locking lugs have not turned so far as to engage the can wall or look in underneath the chime thereof.

In FIGURES 4 and 7 it can be seen that as soon as the latch elements have been turned a few degrees, the hearing surfaces 42 will immediately contact cylindrical surface 44 of the frame element bordering the central opening therein and maintain the latch element centered with respect thereto. As the latch element continues clockwise as viewed in FIGURE 1, it comes to the position shown by portion 22r at the right-hand side of FIGURES 1 and 2 of the approximately one-eighth turn. This is the locked position in which lugs 2@ have moved in against the cylindrical Wall of the can 16 and come to rest underneath the shoulder 58 formed between the can wall and the chime or rim 14. In the preferred form of the invention, a second stop 6% projects from the top surface of the frame in position to engage one of the supporting lugs 40 and stop the latch element with the locking lugs in latched position. This stop 6% also prevents the latch element from turning past locked position where it could once again drop through the central opening in the frame. A slight relocation of tabs 46 will position what remains of them after being broken off to engage the leading edge 62 of bearing surface 46 and locate the locked position of the latch elements thus eliminating the need for stops 60; however, the construction shown is preferred because tabs 46 due to their fracturable nature are quite easily sheared off and this, in fact, takes place as the bearing surfaces move thereacross while the locking lugs travel toward their latched positions.

Having thus described the several useful and novel features of the improved clamp-type can holder of the present invention, it will become apparent that the several worthwhile objectives for which it was designed have been realized. Although but a single specific embodiment of the invention has been illustrated herein, I realize that certain changes and modifications therein may well occur to those skilled in the art within the broad teaching hereof, hence, it is my intention that the scope of protection afforded hereby shall be limited only insofar as said limitations are expressly set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A device for releasably fastening two or more rimmed cans together in assembled relation comprising: a rigid frame having the underside thereof provided with at least two arcuate non-intersecting rim-receiving grooves, said frame also including an opening located between the grooves shaped to receive a rotatable latch element; a latch element mounted Within the opening in the frame for rotational movement relative thereto between a released and locked position, said latch element having locking tabs projecting from the lower edge thereof positioned to simultaneously move across each groove in the frame and lock in underneath the chimes of cans retained therein upon rotation of said latch into locked position, and said latch element also including supporting tabs projecting from the upper edge thereof in position to overlie the frame when said latch is rotated toward its locked position, said supporting tabs cooperating with the locking tabs to carry the weight of the cans suspended from the underside of the frame; and, fracturable connectors integrally fastening the frame and latch element together in released position to form a one-piece unit, said connectors forming means whereby the frame can be mounted atop the cans before the latch element is separated therefrom by fracturing said connectors preparatory to rotation of said latch into locked position.

2. The rimmed can supporting device as set forth in claim 1 in which: the latch element is generally circular with the supporting and locking tabs projecting from the upper and lower circumferential edges thereof to define an annular groove therebetween adapted to receive the portions of the frame bordering the latch-opening therein; and in which, the opening in the frame is shaped to conform with the outline of the latch element including both the supporting and locking tabs when said latch element is oriented with respect to the frame in the released position.

3. The rimmed can supporting device as set forth in claim 1 in which a generally wedge-shaped stop is provided on the frame in the path of one of the tabs, said stop including an inclined face up onto which one of the tabs rides upon rotational movement of the latch element toward its locked position, said stop also having an abrupt shoulder at the end of its inclined face behind which said tab drops to prevent return of the latch element to the unlocked position it occupied when integrally connected to the frame, and said stop cooperating with the frame to define an intermediate released position of the latch to which the latter returns following its initial separation from the frame.

4. The rimmed can supporting device as set forth in claim 1 in which the latch element is circular with the tabs projecting from the upper and lower circumferential edges thereof to define an annular groove therebetween adapted to receive the portion of the frame bordering the latch opening therein; the latch opening in the frame is shaped to conform with the external outline of the latch element including the tabs when the latter occupies its original unlocked position prior to separation from the frame, said opening being slightly oversize to define a space separating opposed surfaces of the latch element and frame at all locations therebetween except those occupied by the fracturable connectors.

,5. The rimmed can supporting device as set forth in claim 1 in which the latch element includes portions projecting above the adjacent surface of the frame, and in which means engageable to turn the latch element,

etween its released and locked positions are carried by said upwardly projecting portions.

6. The rimmed can supporting device as set forth in claim 1 in which stop means are provided on the frame in position to engage one of the tabs of the latch element upon rotational movement of the latter in the direction of its locked position, said stop being so located as to prevent rotational movement of the latch element past its locked position thereby defining the latter.

7. The rimmed can supporting device as set forth in claim 1 in which the shape of the latch element including the tabs and the opening in the frame adapted to receive same are such that said latch element could be removed from said opening through either the top or the bottom thereof following fracture of the connectors provided no relative rotational movement occurs between said frame and latch.

8. The rimmed can supporting device as set forth in claim 1 in which the frame includes four rim-receiving grooves in the underside thereof grouped symmetrically in essentially tangential relation around each latch element opening.

9. The rimmed can supporting device as set forth in claim 2 in which the circular latch element is in the form of a ring having a central fingerhole therein.

10. The rimmed can supporting device as set forth in claim 2 in which, a supporting tab is provided on the latch element corresponding to each locking tab arranged above the latter and to one side thereof in position such that their adjacent edges are substantially vertically aligned and parallel, and in which the portions of the latch element opening in the frame that receive the locking and supporting tabs have an over-all width not less than the combined widths of each set of said locking and supporting tabs disposed therein.

11. The rimmed can supporting device as set forth in claim 2 in which, the latch-receiving opening in the frame is oversized to provide gaps between opposed surfaces of the latch and frame, and in which the fracturable connectors are located within said gaps integrally interconnecting said opposed surfaces.

12. The rimmed can supporting device as set forth in claim 4 in which; the latch element opening in the frame includes recesses adapted to accept the tabs interconnected by arcuate sections extending therebetween; and in which the latch element includes bearing surfaces projecting into the annular groove at angularly spaced locations corresponding to the position of a tab, said bearing surfaces initially lying within the tab recesses of the latch opening in the frame while the latch remains attached to the latter, and said bearing surfaces forming means adapted to slide along the arcuate sections of the frame bordering the latch opening therein once said latch is separated from said frame and rotated toward locked position thus maintaining the latch centered within the opening.

13. The rimmed can supporting device as set forth in claim 4 in which, the latch element projects above the surrounding surfaces of the frame, an annular flange projects from the upper edge of the latch element covering the space between said latch and the portion of the frame bordering the latch opening.

14. The rimmed can supporting device as set forth in claim 9 in which the opposed arcuate surfaces of the latch element and frame are right cylindrical surfaces.

15. The rimmed can supporting device as set forth in claim 10 in which, the latch element opening in the frame includes arcuate sections interconnecting the tab-receiving recesses that lie in spaced relation to the opposed arcuate surfaces of the latch element to define gaps therebetween, and in which bearing surfaces are provided within the annular groove of the latch element lying between the locking and supporting tabs that constitute a set thereof so as to project into the tab-receiving recesses of the latch opening in the frame while said latch remains attached to the latter, said bearing surfaces being sized and adapted to ride along the arcuate surfaces of the frame that border the latch element opening as the latch is separated from the frame and rotated toward locked position, and said bearing surfaces cooperating with the frame to maintain the latch element centered within the latch opening.

16. The rimmed can supporting device as set forth in claim 13 in which, the annular flange terminates at the edge of the frame bordering the latch element opening therein with the undersurface of said flange being substantially coplanar with the top surface of said frame, and in which the fraeturable connectors are formed integral With said annular flange on the underside thereof.

17. The rimmed can supporting device as set forth in claim 13 in which the annular flange is interrupted at angularly spaced intervals to provide slots for the reception of an actuating tool adapted to turn the latch element 10 between its locked and released positions.

No references cited. 

1. A DEVICE FOR RELEASABLY FASTENING TWO OR MORE RIMMED CANS TOGETHER IN ASSEMBLED RELATION COMPRISING: A RIGID FRAME HAVING THE UNDERSIDE THEREOF PROVIDED WITH AT LEAST TWO ARCUATE NON-INTERSECTING RIM-RECEIVING GROOVES, SAID FRAME ALSO INCLUDING AN OPENING LOCATED BETWEEN THE GROOVES SHAPED TO RECEIVE A ROTABLE LATCH ELEMENT; A LATCH ELEMENT MOUNTED WITHIN THE OPENING IN THE FRAME FOR ROTATIONAL MOVEMENT RELATIVE THERETO BETWEEN A RELEASED AND LOCKED POSITION, SAID LATCH ELEMENT HAVING LOCKING TABS PROJECTING FROM THE LOWER EDGE THEREOF POSITIONED TO SIMULTANEOUSLY MOVE ACROSS EACH GROOVE IN THE FRAME AND LOCK IN UNDERNEATH THE CHIMES OF CANS RETAINED THEREIN UPON ROTATION OF SAID LATCH INTO LOCKED POSITION, AND SAID LATCH ELEMENT ALSO INCLUDING SUPPORTING TABS PROJECTING FROM THE UPPER EDGE THEREOF IN POSITION TO OVERLIE THE FRAME WHEN SAID LATCH IS ROTATED TOWARD ITS LOCKED POSITION, SAID SUPPORTING TABS COOPERATING WITH THE LOCKING TABS TO CARRY THE WEIGHT OF THE CANS SUSPENDED FROM THE UNDERSIDE OF THE FRAME; AND, FRACTURABLE CONNECTORS INTEGRALLY FASTENING THE FRAME AND LATCH ELEMENT TOGETHER IN RELEASED POSITION TO FORM A ONE-PIECE UNIT, SAID CONNECTORS FORMING MEANS WHEREBY THE FRAME CAN BE MOUNTED ATOP THE CANS BEFORE THE LATCH ELEMENT IS SEPARATED THEREFROM BY FRACTURING SAID CONNECTORS PREPARATORY TO ROTATION OF SAID LATCH INTO LOCKED POSITION. 